Consultation: Weeks Aircraft & Spirit of St. Louis replica

In October of 2002, Kent was at Weeks Aircraft Fantasy of Flight Museum holding a training workshop and doing a bit of metalwork for the museum. The workshop training included forming and shaping parts on their new TM Air Power Hammer along with some training on Aluminum Gas Welding with the Oxy-Acetylene torch.

One of the projects Kent worked on during his visit was a new top cowl for Kermit Weeks' Spirit of St. Louis replica. The cowl needed to be redone as the old one did not have the right shape. Kent made the new part in three pieces. He used his Air Power Hammer for shaping, and then gas welding for joining the separate parts together.

The sheet was bent to fit the top of the engine radius, and then the back edge was reversed using the Large Reverse Die Set on Kent's Air Power Hammer.

The two additional pieces were formed and then gas-welded to the top edge — one piece at each side. The work was done in such as manner as to allow “engine turning” or “damascening” of the surface, as per the original Ryan design.

During our training sessions even Kermit Weeks, owner of Weeks Aircraft and Fantasy of Flight Museum, got in some practice and tips on his Aluminum Gas Welding from Kent.

Here Kermit and one of his aircraft metal guys get instruction on aluminum aircraft shaping and repairs using the Air Power Hammer.

Even Kermit’s wife Teresa got in on the action with the Air Power Hammer training.

Read more about Kermit Weeks, Fantasy of Flight, and the Spirit of St. Louis replica: